Apparatus for developing color film and making color prints



P. A. WEBER APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING COLOR FILM AND MAKING COLOR PRINTS Filed June 29. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 1001// /Z h/eef BYQ/ 63M f7 T Of? N E P. A. WEBER July 16, 1963 3,097,586 APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING COLOR FILM AND MAKING COLOR PRINTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1961 @www1 wvmmmw NT mm FP/v5 Y July 16, 1963 P. A. WEBER 3,097,586

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING COLOR FILM AND MAKING COLOR PRINTS Filed June 29, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. L/T; 9 B50/ f7. weber fw Y United States Patent O 3,097,586 APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING CGLOR FILM AND MAKING COLR PRINTS Iaul A. Weber, 426 Benson Bldg., Sioux Falls, S. Dak. Filed June 29, 1961, Ser. No. 120,647 5 Claims. (Cl. 95-89) My inventionpertains to a machine which will provide the process yfor developing the necessary color in color Iflm or a color print after the color hlm has been exposed in a camera, or the appropriate color sensitized or other material has been exposed by contact with color film, a color film negative or in an enlarger.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine which will perform this process in a relatively simple structure which can be used by the operator in a more r less restricted space, without requiring the relatively large machines for such processing.

A further object of my invention is to provide a process and apparatus which will develop the color through the use of several solutions, and with automatic means for advancing the color -tilm or paper or other sensitized material to the necessary separate chemical baths,

A further object of my invention is to provide an automatically operating spray or washing arrangement for the developing purposes.

A further object of my invention is to provide an arrangement which will function to agitate the film or paper, etc., automatically at a pre-determined time.

A further object of my invention is to provide lighttight and water-tight compartments which will automatically close at the proper intervals to process the lm, and which compartments will include suitable light means enclosed therein, which light means will 'be actuated at the proper intervals.

A further object of my invention is to provide an electrical circuit together with electrical contact means whereby the process can be regulated as to intervals.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the device,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of a detail,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 5 is a detail showing fragmentary sections,

FIGURE `6 is an end view of one of the contact discs,

IFIGURE 7 is a side view of the disc shown in FIG- URE -6 with further details,

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit, and

FIGURE 9` is a further isometric view of the contact arrangement.

In describing my invention I have used the character 10 to designate a base, the character 11 indicating four vertically positioned posts attached to the base 10. Attached at the upper ends of the posts l11 as at 12 is the top platform 13, and attached to the platform 13 is the suppcrt 14, to which support is attached an electric motor 15, which electric motor through certain reduction gearing arrangements drives the disc 16. Attached to the disc 16 is an arm 17 which is pivotally attached at 18 to a strap 1'9, which strap is pivotally attached at 20 to the braces 2-1 which are secured to a further platform 22.

The platform 22 includes suitable openings as at 23 so that this platform can reciprocate upwardly and downwardly on the posts =11.

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The character 24 indicates a further platform having the openings at 25, which openings loosely receive the posts 111, and attached to the platform 24 are the members 26 having the sloping faces 27. Bearing against the sloping faces 27 is a transverse Ibar 28 which is secured to a vertical shaft 29, which shaft 29 is operated by means of an electric motor 30, this arrangement providing means whereby operation of the electric motor 30 will cause the bar 28 in bearing against the sloping faces 27 to cause a vibratory action. Attached between the platforms 22 and 24 are the springs 31.

The character 32 indicates a further platform which can be suitably secured to the stationary posts 11 in any suitable manner, and attached to the platform 32 is a further electric motor 33 which drives an arm 34, which arm 34 is pivotally connected at 3S to the lengthened straps 36. Pivotally attached at 37 to the straps 36 are the arms or levers 38 which are pivoted at 39 by means of the transverse members 40 (see FIGURE 4) to the brackets 41 which are extensions of the member 32. The character 42 indicates a pair of upper transverse straps having the enlarged openings 43, which openings 43 receive the upper ends of the members 38. Attached to the straps 42 are the .bars y44 which are received within the openings 45 within the collars or sleeves 46, which sleeves or collars are secured to the braces or supports 47 which are suitably secured to the member 32.

Attached to the transverse straps 42 at 48 are the straps 49, which straps are secured to the housings 50, the housings 50 including the spray nozzles 51 therein (see FIGURE 5), which nozzles communicate to the flexible pipes 52, which pipes will pass to any suitable source of the necessary water or liquid to be supplied, and the character 53 indicates electric bulbs suitably enclosed within the transparent plastic enclosures 54 whereby the bulbs will be water-proof, etc., the character `55 indicating a suitable reector, the character 56 indicating a mirror or other reflecting surface. The character 56a designates relatively soft gaskets which are attached about the perimeters of the housings 50. The platform 32 (see FIGURE 4) includes an opening 57 therein. The housings 50 can include any suitable drainage means.

Attached to the posts :11 are the collars 58, and attached to the collars 58 are the tracks 59. Supported on the tracks 59 by means of the small rollers `60 are the frameworks 61 which are adapted to receive the various longitudinally spaced tanks y62. therein, these tanks 62 being adapted to receive the |various solutions for processing the film or paper. Attached to the `framework members 61 are the outwardly extending pins 63.

Suitably secured to the traclcs 59 as at 64 and to one of the members 5S as 'at 65 are the spaced sprockets 66, which are :attached to the shafts 67, and engaging these sprockets are the sprocket chains 68, the sprocket chains 68 including the pins 69 attached thereto, There can be provided a driving unit comprising the members 66, 68, etc., at either side of the arrangement if desired, which units will be properly synchronized to provide a uniform action at either side. The character 69a indicates electric motors lfor driving one of the shafts 67.

The character 70 =(see FIGURE l) indicates by dotted lines a supporting rod for supporting the lm strips, and attached to the rod 70 is a suitable fframework 71 which will support the lilm strips 72, it being understood, however, that any other type yof supporting arrangement can be used, and ,it also being understood that any other type of material cany be developed such as lms on reels, paper in stainless steel hangers, or fother sensitized material, etc.

Attached t'o the platform 22 at 73 is the bar 74 having 3 the horizontal portion 75, and the character 76 indicates a contact switch having the contact button 77, which switch is lattached to the framework portion 32.

For providing the contacting arrangement for the vafrious electrical circuits, I provide la series of spaced discs 78, 79, 80, 81, Iand 82, which discs are adapted to control respectively the solenoid 83, which solenoid is adapted =to control the valves for turning the water on and off, the solenoid 84 being adapted to control the lights 53, the motor 15, the motor 33, the motor or motors 69a, and the vibrator motor 30.

Each of these discs include the openings 35 which are spaced about the edges of the discs, and inserted within these openings Iare the various insulated pegs 86 (see FIGURES 6 and 7). rIllese discs are attached to the square shaft 87, which shaft is driven by means of a sprocket 8S which sprocket engages a sprocket chain 89, which .sprocket chain 89 engages any suitable motor or other driving source, the character 90 indicating a bracket which can be attached to any type of fbase desired.

The character 91 indicates a Contact switch which is controlled by means of a leaf spring 92 (see FIGURE 7), and so that pressure against the leaf spring 92 by the pegs 86 will maintain contact, or will close the circuit there being a switch arrangement 91 yfor each of the discs.

The pegs 86 in combination with the switches 91, 92, provide means whereby the interval between contacts 'as well as the duration of the contact can be regulated by the ioperator to any desired interval spacing and operating cycle, by merely changing the spacing of the pegs 86 about the periphery of the various discs. For instance, as shown in FIGURE 7, the contact will be maintained on the particular circuit that the disc operates during the rotation of the eight pegs shown past the spring element 92, not all of the openings 85 being shown in FIGURE 7.

In this manner the frequency of contact as explained above and the duration .of the Contact can be regulated for each of the various cycles of operation which will now be described.

The film 1or paper which is to be processed for color is supported as explained from the framework 70 and, 71, and after the various pegs 86 have been set for the required cycle and frequency, the main switch 93 can be closed. The motor will rotate, which will rotate the arm -17 and correspondingly through the various connections will rforce the platform 22 downwardly, the character 94 indicating further stabilizing posts which pass through the openings 95. As the film or paper is carried downwardly, it will enter into one of the tanks 62, or the tank which has been previously filled with the required solution for the proper color. As soon as the platform 22 is lowered to this position, the members 75 will cause the `switch 76 to be operated, which will thereby cause the motor 30 to rotate, whereby the bar 28 will abut against the surfaces 27, this action causing the required agitation of the film or paper. Continued rotation of the arm 17 will then carry the platform 22 upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE l, and during the next cycle, the motor 33 will start its operation, which due to the connection of the members 36 to the bars 42, will swing these bars 42 inwardly, thereby carrying the casings 50 inwardly towards each other until the gaskets 56a will abut, the support posts 70 being thin enough so that the resilient gaskets will be in snug engagement, and at this point the solenoid S4 is actuated, which will cause the bulbs 53 to operate, which light will be dispersed throughyout the interior of the casings 50 due tothe reflectors, and next, the solenoid 83 is actuated which causes the water to flow through the pipes 53 and through the nozzles 51. During this action the next adjacent tank 62 will be advanced since the motors 69a will be actuated `in the proper cycle, and the pins 69 will be carried against the pin 63 to thereby advance the frame 61 in the direction of the arrow 96 (see FIGURE 2) until the pin 69 will clear the pin 63 and will come back to the position shown Q. in FIGURE 2 ready to advance the next succeeding tank 62 for the next step to be processed.

Ilhe example cited above assumes that the material being processed requires exposure to light after passing through the first of the solutions in tanks 62. Should a different sequence of operations be required -by this particular material, such sequence (and the duration of the various steps in the sequence) can be arranged by the operator by changing pegs 86 in discs 78, 79, 80, 81, and 82.

It will be noted that the connection of the various members 36, 33, 42, etc. will yforce the casings 50 apart again, ready for a further operation.

The various cycles and time intervals can be controlled as explained above, and so that the relation Ibetween the cycles can also be established properly.

It should be understood that my invention as explained herein discloses certain forms of my contemplated invention, however, it should be noted that various modifications could be made and still maintain the spirit an-d intent thereof.

It will now be seen that I have provided the advantages mentioned in the objects of my invention with further advantages being apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and lit is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reaonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

l. An apparatus for developing color film or paper comprising a base, Vertical supports attached to said base, an upper platform supported by said supports, an intermediate platform, means for suspending film or paper from said intermediate platform, a pair of opposed casings mounted on said supports, means for advancing said opposed casings towards each other, said casings being open inwardly and said casings being adapted to receive said film or paper, and whereby movement of said casings towards each other will provide a film or paper processing chamber, means for lighting said chamber, and means for injecting water into said chamber, means for retracting said casings, means for agitating said intermediate platform to agitate said film or paper at desired pre-determined sequences.

2. An apparatus for developing color film or paper comprising a base, vertical supports attached to said base, an upper platform supported by said supports, an intermediate platform, means for suspending film or paper from said intermediate platform, a pair of opposed casings mounted on said supports, means for advancing said opposed casings towards each other, said casings being open inwardly and said casings being adapted to receive said film or paper, and whereby movement of said casings towards each other will provide a film or paper processing chamber, means for lighting said chamber, and means for injecting water into said chamber, means` for retracting said casings, a frame mounted on said base, means for advancing said frame along said base, said frame including a plurality of spaced tanks, each of said tanks including a solution therein for processing said film or paper, means for moving said intermediate platform downwardly whereby said film or paper will enter certain of said tank in pre-determined relation, means for agitating said intermediate platform to agitate said film or paper at desired pre-determined sequences.

3. An apparatus for developing color film or papercomprising a base, vertical supports attached to said base, an upper platform supported by said supports, an intermediate platform, means for suspending film or paper from said intermediate platform, a pair of opposed casings mounted on said supports, means for advancing said opposed casings towards cach other, said casings being open inwardly and said casings being adapted to receive said film or paper, and whereby movement of said casings towards each other will provide a film or paper processing chamber, means for lighting said chamber, and means for injecting water into said chamber, means for retracting said casings, a frame mounted on said base, means for advancing said frame along said base, said frame including a plurality of spaced tanks, each of said tanks including a solution therein for processing said film or paper, means for moving said intermediate platform downwardly whereby said film or paper will enter certain of said tanks in predetermined relation, means for agitating said intermediate platform to agitate said film or paper at desired predetermined sequences, Said frame advancing means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced pins attached to Said frame, a sprocket chain including further pins attached thereto, said further pins being adapted to bear against said pins to move said frame, means for driving said sprocket chain.

4. An apparatus for developing color lm or paper comprising a base, vertical supports attached to said base, an upper platform supported by said supports, an intermediate platform, means for suspending lm or paper from said intermediate platform, a pair of opposed casings mounted on said supports, means for advancing said opposed casings towards each other, said casings being open inwardly and said casings being adapted to receive said film or paper, and whereby movement of said casings towards each other will provide a film or paper processing chamber, means for lighting said chamber, and means for injecting Water into said chamber, means for retracting said casings, a frame mounted on said base, means for advancing said frame along sai-d base, said frame including a plurality of spaced tanks, each of said tanks including a solution therein for processing said film or paper, means for moving said intermediate platform downwardly whereby said film or paper will enter certain of said tanks in pre-determined relation, means for agitating said intermediate platform to agitate said lm or paper at desired pre-determined sequences, said frame advancing means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced pins attached to said frame, a sprocket chain including further pins attached thereto, said further pins being adapted to bear against said pins to move said frame, means for driving said sprocket chain, electric circuits for providing certain of said means including a plurality of discs, said discs having a plurality of peripherally spaced openings, pegs received in said openings, circuits controlled by said pegs according to the number of said pegs in said openings, and the spacing of said pegs on said discs.

5. An apparatus for developing color lm or paper comprising a base, vertical supports attached to said base, an upper platform supported by said supports, an intermediate platform, means for suspending film or paper from said intermediate platform, a pair of opposed casings mounted on said supports, means for advancing said opposed casings towards each other, said casings being open inwardly and said casings being adapted to receive said `film or paper, and whereby movement of said casings towards each other will provide a film or paper processing chamber, means for lighting said chamber, and means for injecting water into said chamber, said means for advancing said opposed casings including a motor, an arm rotated by said motor, levers pivotally attached to said arm, transverse bars engaging the upper ends of said levers, means for attaching said transverse bars to said casings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,991,703 Eloranta July 11, 1961 

2. AN APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING COLOR FILM OR PAPER COMPRISING A BASE, VERTICAL SUPPORTS ATTACHED TO SAID BASE, AN UPPER PLATFORM SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORTS, AN INTERMEDIATE PLATFORM, MEANS FOR SUSPENDING FILM OR PAPER FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATFORM, A PAIR OF OPPOSED CASINGS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTS, MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID OPPOSED CASINGS TOWARDS EACH OTHER, SAID CASINGS BEING OPEN INWARDLY AND SAID CASINGS BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID FILM OR PAPER, AND WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF SAID CASINGS TOWARDS EACH OTHER WILL PROVIDE A FILM OR PAPER PROCESSING CHAMBER, MEANS FOR LIGHTING SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS FOR INJECTING WATER INTO SAID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR RETRACTING SAID CASINGS, A FRAME MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID FRAME ALONG SAID BASE, SAID FRAME INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED TANKS, EACH OF SAID TANKS, INCLUDING A SOLUTION THERE IN FOR PROCESSING SAID FILM OF PAPER, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATFORM DOWNWARDLY WHEREBY SAID FILM OR PAPER WILL ENTER CERTAIN OF SAID TANK IN PRE-DETERMINED RELATION, MEANS FOR AGITATING SAID INTERMEDIATE PLATFORM TO AGITATE SAID FILM OR PAPER AT DESIRED PRE-DETERMINED SEQUECES. 